The western sentinel. [volume] (Winston-Salem, N.C.) 1887-1926, 1887-09-01
PRICE ; CENTS
A SCRAP OF HISTORY.
General Hoke's Farewell Address to
His Division in 1865.
From the Charlotte Hornet.

From the Charlotte Hornet.
The following certified copy of Gen.
Hoke's address to his Division at the
close of the war is furnished the Hor-
net for publication, and will no doubt
be gladly welcomed by many of cur
readers, who, together with the writer,
followed where the gallant Hoke led
during the trying times of 1S61-65.
HEADQUARTERS HoKE's DIVISION, }
NEAR GREENSBORO, n. c.,
May 1, 1865
SOLDIERS OF MY DIVISION:
On the eve of long, perhaps fin
al separation, | address to you the last
sad words of parting.
The fortunes of war have turned
the scale against us. The proud ban
ners which you have waved so glori-
ously over many field are to be furl-
ed at last. But they are not disgrace
ed, my comrades Your indomitable
courage, your heroic fortitude, your
patience under sufferings, have
surrounded them wiz halo which
future years can never dim. History
will bear witness to your valor, and
succeeding generations will point
with admiration to your grand strug
gle for Constitutional freedom.
Soldiers your past is full of glory
Treasure it in your hearts. Remem
Der each CORY battle field, each day of
victory, each bleeding comrade!
Think then of your home.
Freedoms battle once begun,
Bequeathed from bleeding sire to son,
Though baffied oft, is ever won.'
You have yielded to overwhelming
forces, not to superior valor. You
are paroled prisoners, not slaves. The
love of liberty which led you into the
contest burns as brightly in your
hearts as ever. Cherish it. Associate
it with the history of your past.
Transmit it to your children Teach
them the rights of freedom, and teach
them to maintain them. Teach them
the proudest day in all your career
was that ON which you enlisted as
Southern soldiers entering that holy
brotherhood whose ties are now sealed
by the blood of your compatriots who
have fallen, and whose history is coe-
val with the brilliant record of the
past four years.
Soldiers, amid the imperishable
| laurels that surround your brows, no
brighter leaf adotns them than your
connection with the late Army of
Northern Virginia.
The star that shone with, splendor
over its oft repeated fields o.. 1T t.Sy
over the two deadly struggles of Man.
assas Plains, over Richmond, Chancel
lorsville, and Fredericksburg,h has sent
its rays and been reflected where true
courage is admired, or wherever free
dom has friend. That star has sci
in blood, but yet in glory. That ar
my is now of the past The banner.
trail, but not with ignominy. NJ
stain blots their escutcheona. NJ
blush can tinge your cheeks as you
proudly announce that you have II
part in the history of the Army OF
Northern Virginia.
My comrades, we have borne to,
gether the same hardships we hav,
shared the same dangers we have re
joiced over the same victories. Your
trials, your patience have excited
sympathy and admiration, and have
borne willing witness to your bravery
and it is with heart full of grateful
emotions for your services and ready
obedience that sake leave of you
May the future of each one be as hap
py as your past career has been bri,
liant, and may no cloud ever dim thu
brightness of your fame. The pas
rises before me in its illimitabl,
grandeur. Its memories are part o
the life of each one of us. But it is al
over now. Yet, though the sad darl
veil of defeat is over us, fear not thu
future, but meet it with manly hearts
You carry to your homes the heart
felt wishes of your General for you
prosperity.
My comrades, farewell!
r. F. HoKE, Major General